Bergthron are a German black metal band and this is their seventh album.
After a 15-year absence, Bergthron have unexpectedly appeared out of nowhere with 32 minutes of new material in the form of Neu Asen Land. If you know any of Bergthron’s first few albums or so, this almost sounds like a completely different band, so don’t go expecting the sprawling atmospheric black metal epics of their early work. If you’re unfamiliar with them though, or aren’t bothered by a change in direction, then there’s much to enjoy here if you are of a certain taste.
The latest version of this mysterious band finds them exploring new ground and different sounds to much of their discography. This means that Neu Asen Land is a fascinating and endearing mix of old and new. Richly realised by a raw and organic delivery, the music bleeds passion and authenticity, blending old and new influences into something that’s both exotic and familiar. New Aus Land firmly takes me back to the late 90s, when black metal bands were broadening their sound. While certainly rooted there though, it has also picked up a few tricks from the decades that followed, making for an album that’s very interesting and has an individual flavour. Importantly though, it’s also very good at what it does.
So, the easiest way to think of Neu Aus Land is probably as a late 90s-era slice of blackened metal. It contains atmospheric, progressive, and avant-garde elements, but also some more modern and post-black metal ones too. The end result is an album with real character and flair. The raw, unadulterated nature of the album is appealing; it’s an underground black metal production in many ways, but is also clear and strong. Like the music itself, Bergthron have judged this just right.
This won’t be for everyone, and is quite different to Bergthron’s early style. Even if you’ve never encountered them before though, it’s still an esoteric niche subgenre that they are now playing in. Regardless, it’s well-crafted and really damn good. It’s a mix of black metal elements that have given rise to a not-quite black metal album that sits comfortably around bands such as Arcturus, Borknagar, Dødheimsgard, Manes, Ulver, etc. If you’re in the mood for quality, adventurous, black metal-adjacent music, then you’ll want to spend some time with Neu Asen Land.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 